It's rather like a game of Clue. A muggy July weekend in Toronto. A house party with a disparate assortment of guests. A tired police inspector. His rookie partner. And a baffling murder.

Senior corporate lawyer George Brodie and his wife Ellen want their son to marry a nice girl and settle down. To that end, Ellen invited the auburn-haired daughter of a distant relative for the July long weekend. But her plans go sadly awry when George invites his junior partners and their wives, and their son brings along his roommate—a ladies’ man.

Jillian Martin, the spoiled young wife of one of George’s partners, looks forward to being the center of attention at the house party. But everything goes wrong. First, her husband insists they take along her disgusting older sister; then an old flame seems to be more interested in a boring religious do-gooder; and an annoying older man makes fun of her. The last straw is when the jealous wife of another partner dares to challenge her.

After a lifeless body is found in a garden on the estate, chaos ensues.

Meanwhile, Homicide inspector Paul Manziuk wants nothing more than a few days R and R to recharge his brain. Constable Jacqueline Ryan believes she owes her promotion to the Homicide Squad to being a black woman, and that she’ll have a better chance to prove she belongs there if she can avoid working with the no-nonsense, intimidating Manziuk.

But circumstances bring them together, and it isn’t long before they feel they've been thrust into an Agatha Christie novel where everyone has a motive and there are numerous baffling clues and conflicting alibis. However, Manziuk isn't Hercule Poirot, and Ryan is definitely not Miss Marple.

The Paul Manziuk and Jacquie Ryan Mysteries Series in order1. Shaded Light: The Case of the Tactless Trophy Wife2. Glitter of Diamonds: The Case of the Reckless Radio Host3. Shadow of a Butterfly: The Case of the Harmless Old Woman

Paul Manziuk and Jacquie Ryan NovellaThe Case of the Homeless Pup

Also look for:7 Short Mystery & Suspense Stories including Paul Manziuk and Jacquie Ryan in “The Case of the Sneezing Accountant”